Vaibhav Sooryavanshi rewrote the record books in the Tri-Nation Series final against Sri Lanka A, hammering the fastest half-century in List A cricket history on Sunday in Dambulla.
The teenage sensation, who had endured a difficult run with the bat throughout the tournament, exploded into life after India A were sent in to bat at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Having arrived in the final under pressure following modest scores in previous matches and lingering attention from an on-field altercation during the league stage, Sooryavanshi produced an innings that instantly shifted the spotlight back onto his cricket.
The left-hander launched his assault from the very first delivery, dispatching Mohamed Shiraz for four and continuing to attack relentlessly. Boundaries and towering sixes flowed freely as Sri Lanka A’s bowlers struggled to contain the fearless 15-year-old.
The extraordinary innings marked a dramatic turnaround for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who had entered the final with scores of 14, 44, 21 and 38 in the competition. While he had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament, Dambulla’s slower surfaces had largely prevented him from playing his natural attacking game.
Vaibhav was dismissed for 94 runs from 29 deliveries as Sri Lanka skipper Sahan Arachchige picked up the wicket and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth completed the catch. His innings had 10 fours and eight sixes.
